WoW Classic SoD: What's new in Molten Core?

When Molten Core launches for WoW Classic SoD Phase 4, players will see some familiar foes and features. However, there are some new challenges to keep an eye out for, including a new secret boss. The classic dungeon was the first 40-person raid in World of Warcraft, alongside the Onyxia Raid. However, instead of one boss to fight as was the case in Onyxia, Molten Core featured 10 bosses who pushed players to their limits.

As a vanilla Warcraft player myself, I have lots of really fond memories of grinding for hours in Molten Core, so I took the time to look into what’s different for WoW Classic SoD Phase 4. This raid unlocks on July 25, 2024, alongside Onyxia, and here’s what you need to know about it.

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What’s new in WoW Classic SoD’s Molten Core that wasn’t in the original?

Most Vanilla players remember the challenges and headaches that came with learning Molten Core (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Home to the Legendary Sulfuras and Thunderfury, WoW Classic SoD’s Molten Core was the first 40-person multi-boss raid. However, one of the biggest changes to the raid is that it’s now a 20-person raid. This won’t be an issue, though. If you’re worried about it being too hard, remember that most people have been running this dungeon for decades. On top of that, you have all that incredible new gear.

Combine this with some of the new Runes from Phase 4, and players will no doubt have a much easier time than in the old days, provided they remember boss strategies. Speaking of bosses, there’s been some changes to the loot!

Where is the new boss? That's a really good question (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

The Tier 1 Armor sets and Off Set gear have all been reworked! Each specialization will have its own set, which is something that didn’t take place in Warcraft until much later. Instead of the Tier 1 gear dropping like it did in Molten Core, WoW Classic SoD Phase 4 will feature Class Tokens, similar to what dropped in Icecrown Citadel.

Another new feature could make finding your favorite epic loot much easier in WoW Classic SoD Phase 4’s Molten Core: Adjustable difficulty! This new system, called Heat Levels, can be adjusted to what difficulty you want your raid group to undertake. You have three levels: Normal, Blistering, and Molten. This increases the difficulty of the raid as well as the amount of gear that bosses drop.

It doesn’t increase item levels, though—only the amount of loot. This makes it worthwhile for groups trying to gear up swiftly. There’s also a hidden secret boss in Molten Core, but at this time, there’s no information on it just yet. There’s also no information on boss changes, but there will likely be new mechanics to deal with.

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Check out our other World of Warcraft guides

• All Mage Rune locations (SoD Phase 4)
• New features in WoW Cataclysm Classic
• WoW Cataclysm Classic Phase 2 release date